Emergency care in the USA.

摘要

Three reports in 2006 from the US Institute of Medicine urged the government and private providers to improve the emergency care system. According to a workshop summary released by the institute on Sept 9, key indicators have not improved over the past 3 years. There are still over half a million ambulance "diversions" per year, which means that the nearest hospital is not always available. A hospital can put itself on diversion if the emergency department is full or short-staffed, or if no inpatient beds are available. The "boarding" of admitted patients in treatment spaces or hallways in the emergency department has also not reduced. Boarding ties up space, equipment, and personnel.